A support dog with a lifesaving sixth sense can detect an epileptic seizure 40 minutes in advance of it happening.

Angie Stananought was terrified of falling on her baby until she was partnered with Ushka, a black Labrador Retriever-cross, who has been trained to provide a 100% reliable warning of a fit.

The mum-of-two from Trefnant, near Denbigh has been having severe seizures ever since the age of 11 after surgery to remove a brain tumour, limiting her independence and making normal life difficult.

She was given her first lifesaving companion, Juno in 1999 after her social worker introduced her to the charity, Support Dogs - the only organisation in the UK to provide and train seizure alert dogs.

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Her second dog, Venus assisted at the birth of both her daughters, Elisha, aged eight and three-year-old Seren, but when Venus died unexpectedly, Angie was left vulnerable and without a lifeline.

She said: “It was terrible to be without a dog.

“Seren wasn’t walking, and I was so worried about having a seizure and falling on her.

“Elisha had to take some responsibility and help out, despite being devastated about losing Venus. It was not the easiest of times.

Angie Stananought of Trefnant, who has severe epilepsy with her support dog, 3 year old Ushka can detect an oncoming seizure 40 minutes in advance, enabling her to get to safe place. (Image: Daily Post Wales)

“It was especially hard to have no dog as I was used to having two dogs – Venus, and her predecessor Juno, until quite recently.

“I was just lost not having that alert. And because of the worry I was having a lot more seizures.”

After three difficult months without a support dog, Angie was partnered with Ushka who would alert her of a seizure up to five times a week when she was first introduced to the family.

“Ushka was calm, very laid back and easy, and very good with the children,” said Angie.

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“Getting Ushka was a huge relief. I had lots of fits in my first week because of the stress but she was amazing.

“She was very quick at picking things up, which made it easier.”

Angie recalled how Juno had been the first to give her the independent life she craved and how Venus played a vital role while she was pregnant by stopping her falling over.

Angie suffered from pre-eclampsia before Elisha’s birth and Venus travelled to hospital with her in the ambulance, staying with her until 30 minutes before Elisha was born, and visiting her every day in hospital.

3 year old Ushka (Image: Daily Post Wales)

Venus was there again when Angie gave birth to Seren.

In the intervening years, attitudes to assistance dogs changed and this time Venus was allowed to stay in hospital with Angie overnight.

“When I had Elisha there wasn’t so much understanding of what a support dog could do, but with Seren the hospital staff saw the benefits of having Venus around and it made life easier for them too,” said Angie.

Unsurprisingly, Elisha was distraught at losing the dog she had spent her entire young life with.

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“Elisha was devastated as she grew up with Venus, she went to playgroup with her, and then school, and basically enabled us to have a proper family life,” adds her mum.

Elisha has remained committed to the charity that has made such a difference to her mother’s and her own life, and despite her young age has been raising money for Support Dogs by making craft items and cakes and selling them to family and friends, earning her the accolade of Support Dogs’ Young Fundraiser of the Year.

Meanwhile, Angie and Ushka have now built up a partnership to match that of Venus and Juno.

“I’ve had her for 18 months now and feel very at home with Ushka,” said Angie.

Angie Stananought and Ushka (Image: Daily Post Wales)

“It’s just about getting used to her ways and her personality.

“She’s quite a sensitive dog and she likes to be with me all the time.

“Her favourite thing is to lie with you in front of the fire.”

Ushka gives a 40 minute alert of an oncoming seizure, nudging Angie with her nose, and if she doesn’t respond straight away Ushka will jump up and make sure she knows.

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Angie added: “I would be lost without her, I have that bond with her that I had with my previous dogs.

“I wouldn’t have a life if I didn’t have the dogs. I would just be stuck at home all day.

“They have made my life normal, and that’s all because of Support Dogs.”

About epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common neurological illness, with over 600,000 cases in the UK.

30% of people with epilepsy are unable to control their seizures through medication. Instead they live with the fear of an oncoming seizure which can occur at any time. This fear affects everything they do, limiting their independence and ability to live an active life.

Seizure alert dogs are trained to provide a 100% reliable warning up to 50 minutes prior to an oncoming seizure. They give time for their owner to find a place of safety and privacy as they have their seizure.

1,000 people with epilepsy die each year and research suggests that most of these deaths are sudden and unexpected. The warning provided by a seizure alert dog means that people can remove themselves from any danger and have a seizure in a safe environment.